“Probably heard it was sans serif and thought that was an antifa leader.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio created what seems to be a conflict on fonts this week with an order that advised diplomats to ditch Calibri and change to Times New Roman.

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The transfer reversed a 2023 determination below former Secretary Antony Blinken, which linked Calibri to accessibility and variety targets, and opinions on-line had been combined.

Return to serif typeface

Rubio described his directive as a option to restore professionalism and custom. In his memo, titled “Return to Tradition: Times New Roman 14-Point Font Required for All Department Paper,” he stated Calibri clashed with official letterhead and appeared casual.

While framed as a matter of presentation, the memo additionally pointed to “radical” variety, fairness, inclusion, and accessibility packages.

Times New Roman had served as the usual for practically 20 years earlier than the change. Rubio argued accessibility didn’t enhance below Calibri and known as the shift ineffective.

Blinken’s change aimed to assist readers with low imaginative and prescient, dyslexia, and people utilizing display readers. Sans serif fonts are typically thought of simpler to learn, however as Accessibility.com famous, “this isn’t universally true,” relying on the design of the fonts.

Accessibility advocates appreciated Calibri for its spacing and less complicated shapes, making them simpler to parse. Still, Rubio cited serif fonts as extra formal and linked them to authorities utilization and Roman design.

Reactions to Rubio’s order

Folks on X shared their opinions in regards to the shift to Times New Roman. Some customers supported the serif return. @chhendon stated, “One of the few things I agree with Rubio on? Just about every font, but Times in particular, is better than Calibri.”

Likewise, @bradybd tweeted, “This may be the only thing I agree with Marco Rubio on […] Although a 14-point typeface is way too big.”

@Sassovivente joked, “Glad @marcorubio is focusing on our real enemy — Times New Roman. 🫡” 

Others confused accessibility considerations. @Fly_Sistah stated, “Marco Rubio halted the official use of Calibri to stamp out diversity efforts. Antony Blinken ordered the typeface change to Calibri to improve accessibility for readers with disabilities, such as low vision & dyslexia, & people who use screen readers.”

Humor additionally surfaced. @LRinaldiArt joked, “Marco Rubio wakes up every day thinking about the Times New Roman Empire and brutally defeating woke Calibrius.” Meanwhile, @SourdeathSam added, “Probably heard it was sans serif and thought that was an antifa leader.”

Even reluctant settlement appeared. @aembot47 stated, “It brings me no joy to agree with Marco Rubio, but Times New Roman is superior even if his reason for the switch back is dumb.” Additionally, @Phil_Lewis_ famous, “Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor’s decision to adopt Calibri a ‘wasteful’ diversity move.” 

Finally, @haug4_haug commented, “Yes, accommodating people with vision problems is way too woke.”

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